Anthony Hope

Anthony Hope Hawkins (1863–1933) was a British author and barrister who turned to writing full-time after the success of his novel The Prisoner of Zenda (1894). Set in the fictional European kingdom of Ruritania, the story of Englishman Rudolf Rassendyll impersonating a kidnapped king became an instant classic, establishing the Ruritanian romance genre. Hope followed it with a sequel, Rupert of Hentzau (1898), and wrote numerous other novels and plays, though none matched the enduring popularity of his Zenda tales. His works influenced later adventure and political-romance fiction, and The Prisoner of Zenda has been adapted into multiple films and stage productions. Hope was knighted in 1918 for his contributions to literature and public service.